By Linus Akor
For the people of the ancient and agrarian Oha-Isu Autonomous Community of Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Saturday, March 15, 2025 will remain etched in their hearts and minds for a very long time to come. It was the day, loyal subjects of His Royal Highness (HRH), Ezeogo Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi, the Isu Oha 1, of Oha-Isu, turned out in large numbers to pay deserving last respect to their beloved and revered first class traditional ruler and member of the Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers’ Council, who passed away on November 23rd, 2024, at the ripe age of 93 years.
HRH Ezeogo Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi
In the days and weeks preceding the funeral, there was an unmistakable sense of grief and loss throughout the Oha-Isu community. This is because the death of HRH. Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi, who was also the pioneer Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau Zamfara State, was a monumental loss not only to the Oha-Isu community which he spent 21 years nurturing and leading as their traditional ruler and guide, but also Ebonyi State and beyond.
Expectedly, Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi’s funeral ceremony which held at the famous GSSA Airport Arena, Ukpa, Afikpo, became a springboard for the outpouring of emotions where people from all walks of life, made up of the who is who in the secular, political, economic, academic, traditional and social circles as well as the downtrodden, not openly expressed collective grief for his passing but also conveyed deep gratitude to God for the worthy and exemplary life that the respected and urbane monarch had lived.
Prior to the commencement of the burial at 10.00 am, the remains of the nonagenarian which had laid in state in a magnificent wooden casket at his palatial country home, were conveyed in a carte, pulled by two beautifully dressed horses to the funeral ground, a distance of about 1000 meters. When the horse-drawn carte bearing the corpse of the monarch made its way into the elegantly decorated GSSA Arena, all the dignitaries without exception, stood up, apparently in complete deference to a man whom they had come from both far and near, to honour and pay their last respect.
The burial ceremony was witnessed by a large array of distinguished guests, showcasing the high esteem in which HRH. Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi was held. The diversity of prominent individuals from various segments of the Nigerian society who graced the occasion spoke volumes not just about the deceased’s local influence but also his national outlook and reach. The quality of tributes delivered during the impressive ceremony was as diverse as it was remarkable, all echoing the profound impact which the late monarch had on his family, community and the country at large.
The clergy led by Prof. Wilberforce Oti, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, in company of a large number of clergymen from different religious denominations, spoke highly of the monarch’s unshaken faith and irrevocable commitment to his religious values. Prof. Oti who led the final rites of passage at the funeral service described HRH. Ezeogo Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi as a progressive and peaceful trailblazer who was found worthy and relevant by successive Nigerian governments, and entrusted with special assignments, the climax of which was his appointment as the pioneer Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, a task he executed commendably.
Prof. Oti noted that the deceased traditional ruler was synonymous with excellence in whatever he did as manifested by the imposing engineering and architectural structures which bore his characteristic trademark of excellence and durability. The clergyman then charged the congregation to strive for good deeds that would outlive them, obviously in acknowledgement of the legacy of unblemished service, true leadership and steadfastness left behind by the departed first class traditional ruler.
From the political sphere, the political class represented by the Ebonyi State Governor, Rt.Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, highlighted the sage’s commitment to peace and unity within the complex sociopolitical landscape of Ebonyi State. The Governor who spoke through his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, described HRH. Ewa-Elechi as an accomplished Royal father, a devout Christian, a bridge builder and a good ambassador of the traditional institution, whom he noted, would be remembered for his uncommon humility, forthrightness and unbiased stance on issues brought before him.
A major cornerstone of the tributes was the open acknowledgement of HRH’s pivotal role in the development of the Federal University Gusau where Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi served as the first Chancellor. The University management led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Engr. Aminu Sani Isa and seven others at the funeral, placed on record, the commendable leadership role of the Chancellor in shaping the trajectory of the institution. The Pro-Chancellor recalled that as Chancellor, HRH. Ewa-Elechi brought his wealth of experience, uncommon wisdom and sound knowledge of issues to bear on the governance of the University, thereby ensuring that the institution was built on a sturdy foundation of excellence and sustainable growth.
A retinue of economic leaders and business figures in their tributes commended the ingenuity and visionary thinking of the royal father. Members of Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi’s professional circle marveled at his ability to merge technical expertise with an intrinsic understanding of human development. They noted that Ewa-Elechi’s illustrious career was marked by ground-breaking projects and innovations that contributed immensely to the built environment and the overall infrastructural landscape of Ebonyi State. According to them, the foresight of HRH. Ewa-Elechi as an engineer and community developer, produced ample fruits in the road infrastructure in Oha-Isu and its environs.
At the family level, HRH. Engr. Arc Ewa-Elechi was acknowledged as a revered, loving and caring father. His eight children, led by the chief mourner, Mrs. Chinyere Ugwuegbu (Nee Ewa-Elechi) and other extended family members, spoke glowingly about their patriarch whom they noted, balanced the demands of public and traditional life with his private role as a devoted father and family man. They paid deserving tribute to his vision, guidance and emotional availability, recalling with nostalgia, the sound education and strong moral pedigree which their departed father bequeathed them.
The communal grief of the motley crowd of mourners comprising traditional title holders, age-grade societies and community folks who thronged the venue of the funeral to identify with the family of the late Royal father in its moment of sorrow was conveyed by an elderly woman who sang a moving dirge for the late monarch, recalling how HRH. Ewa-Elechi’s exemplary leadership had transformed their lives, leaving them more united and purposeful members of the Oha-Isu Autonomous Community. .
As the remains of the late traditional ruler were being conveyed for a private burial accompanied by only the immediate family members at about 2.30 pm, the events of Saturday, March 15, 2025, which drew dignitaries from diverse ethnic, religious, regional and professional divides, truly captured the essence of who HRH. Ezeogo Engr. Arc. Ewa-Elechi was – a towering and iconic personality (both in height and elegance), whose imposing stature and commanding influence will forever be felt in Oha-Isu community and beyond.
The roll call of attendees at the funeral service for the late Isu Oha 1, included frontline politicians, serving and former senators, business moguls, captains of industry, the clergy, traditional rulers, members of the academia, commoners as well as friends and well-wishers of the Ewa-Elechi family. Among the dignitaries were the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Ebilo, Senators Azu Agboti and Sunny Ugwuoji and the fifth President of the Nigerian Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, among others. Colorfully dressed masquerades of different shapes and sizes, entertained guests at the memorable ceremony.
Dr. Linus Akor is the University Orator and Head, Media and Communications Committee of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State
